Davies up for cup /Captain Matthew makes Laura a Solheim vice-skipper

European captain Catriona Matthew has completed her backroom team for next year’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles by naming Laura Davies as her third vice-captain, writes Martin Dempster.

Davies, who has made a record 12 appearances in the biennial event, joins Kathryn Imrie and Suzann Pettersen in being enlisted to try to help Matthew win back the trophy next September.

Matthew said that asking Davies, the most successful player in the history of British women’s golf, to fill the role was a “no brainer”. The North Berwick woman added: “She played in the first 12, won 87 times, has a wealth of experience, is still playing, knows all the players, will be great fun in the team room.

“I’m delighted to have Laura alongside me on the journey to Gleneagles. She is hugely respected by the players and has a great sense of humour. I couldn’t ask for anything better than to have Laura, Kathryn and Suzann at my side as vice captains and their combined experience will be a great asset for our team.”

Davies has said in the past

0 2019 European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, left, has named Laura Davies as her third vice-captain for the event.

that she has no desire to be a Solheim Cup captain herself but she is excited about taking on this particular role in what will the third staging of the match in Scotland.

“I’m delighted and honoured

to have been asked to be a vice captain for the first time by Catriona,” said the former world No 1.

“She sent me a text message when I was doing commentary at the Ryder Cup

[in France in September] and I thought, ‘Ah, I wonder what this will be about.’ Sure enough, she asked me if I would do it and I didn’t even have to think about it.

“I want to be part of the

team and I hope that I can make a positive contribution and help in any way that I can. The Solheim Cup has always held a very special place in my heart, right from the first one in 1990.”